An Orange avalanche alert has been issued for West and Central areas of the French Pyrenees for Wednesday 23rd January 2019. Snow will start in the west during the night and progressively move east during Wednesday and Thursday.
Road closures expected in the Pyrenees (archive photo)
The avalanche risk is 4/5 (maximum for backcountry travel) from Wednesday morning for the Haute-Bigorre, Aure-Louron, Couserans, Louchonnais, Orlu St Barthelemy, Pays Basques and Aspe-Ossau districts. In the Haute-Bigorre up to 1.5 meters of new snow has, or will fall from Tuesday to Wedneday. In other areas up to a meter of fresh snow is expected with snow cover down to 800 meters altitude. Strong to storm force north-west winds will create accumulations and form snow slabs on week sub-layers. The risk is expected to rise to 5 (extreme) during the course of Thursday with roads cut to traffic. Consult local information sources before traveling in the affected areas. The authorities are expecting numerous large avalanches which will close roads and affect other infrastructure.